3 DAY CONFERENCEDUBLIN CASTLE, 8-10 SEPTEMBER 2016

Who was King John?

800 years

This major conference in September 2016 will remember King John on the 800th anniversary of his death. Leading historians from around the world will gather in Dublin Castle (constructed in 1204 to be the centre of John’s Irish administration) to debate the controversial king’s place in British, Irish and European history.

Why King John?

Accused by his enemies of murder, viciousness, and sexual depravity, King John was also a ‘state builder’ who brought forth advances in law and administration. Although he lost many lands in France, he is responsible for establishing the long and difficult political union between England and Ireland. As Ireland commemorates 1916 and beginnings of independence, it is fitting to consider the genesis of colonial rule under John.